Atlantic City Restaurant Week kicks off With ‘First Serve’ dinner to honor first responders

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) was proud to host the 4th annual “First Serve to Our First Responders” Dinner on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Park Place Prime at Bally’s Atlantic City, to kick off Atlantic City Restaurant Week.

During the event, 24 Atlantic City first responders, including firefighters, police officers, paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, and beach patrol members, were recognized for their courageous service to the local community.

In addition to the first taste of Atlantic City Restaurant Week at Bally’s Park Place Prime, honorees received a certificate of appreciation and two Atlantic City Restaurant Week dinner cards from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, and a T-shirt courtesy of Bally’s Atlantic City Casino Resort.

Along with the honorees, notable attendees at the “First Serve to Our First Responders” included CRDA Executive Director Eric Scheffler, Atlantic City Director of Emergency Management Scott Evans, Atlantic City Police Department Deputy Chief Bridget Pierce, and Bally’s Corporate Senior VP of Operations Paul J. Juliano.

Scott Evans, Chief of the Atlantic City Fire Department and the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, addresses the honorees at the “First Serve to Our First Responders” Dinner held on September 25, 2024, at Bally’s Atlantic City’s Park Place Prime. AC Photo/Gregg Kohl

Eric Scheffler, Executive Director of the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), thanks the honorees at the “First Serve to Our First Responders” Dinner AC Photo/Gregg Kohl

The first responders honored included:

Atlantic City Fire Department (ACFD): Firefighter Jamieson Allen, Captain Charles Gowdy, Battalion Chief Frank Phillips, Firefighter Joseph Rietzler, and Captain Tim Schwegman

Exceptional Medical Transportation by DocGo: EMT Immane Bussie, EMT Shawn M. Cahill, EMT Jonathan Mercado, and EMT Michael Wacker
Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD): Police Officer Giovanni Berardis, Sergeant Robert Dessicino, Police Officer Riley Flynn, Detective Sergeant Darrin Lorady, and Police Officer Christopher Smith
Atlantic City Beach Patrol (ACBP): Lieutenant Kyle Deroo and Lead Guard Nick Guidara
Atlantic City Police Communications: PST Antoinette Marie Thompson and PST Jaidlyn Alosi
AtlantiCare: Paramedic Patricia Carey, Dispatcher Jennifer D’Ambrosio, Nurse Michael Hunter, and EMT Frank Paulsgraf
Atlantic City Public Works: Nakia Abdullah and Lamar Fisher

Pictured here, from left to right, are: ACPD Sergeant Robert Dessicino, ACPD Officer Riley Flynn, ACPD Deputy Chief Bridget Pierce, ACPD Officer Giovanni Berardis, ACPD Detective Christopher Smith, and ACPD Detective Sergeant Darrin Lorady. AC Photo/Gregg Kohl

Now in its 16^th year, Atlantic City Restaurant Week returns from October 6-11, showcasing the region’s vibrant culinary scene. This six-day event features specially priced, multi-course menus at participating restaurants throughout Atlantic City and the region. Guests can enjoy a $20.24 lunch menu or a $40.24 dinner menu, making it the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of dining experiences.

Atlantic City’s diverse dining scene is the main dish during this popular event, offering authentic flavors for every taste, from gourmet and celebrity chef restaurants to local, original AC favorites.